Mable Hill Spends the Day

Scott Woods brought a group out for a work/fun day and they did such a great job cleaning up the campground area and obstacle course.

There was also a group at the pavilion who were awesome as well. Later there was plenty of food, a little fishing and some exploring. They decided to end the day at the church for a time of devotion.

Brother Mike Clark had intended to come but was pulled away to Louisiana to help with a tragedy. We missed him and I am sure he missed all the great food they had!

GSNA - Day Camp Time!

We have had the privilege of being the host spot for day camp (day five) of the Girl Scouts of North Alabama for three years, now!  This year, the weather was perfect for a day of activities, food and fun!  And with 162 girls, leaders and parents, I think this may have been their biggest year, ever!

They all worked on badges and projects throughout the day.  One of the favorite stations is the campfire station. 

Not only do girls learn proper procedures for starting, safely maintaining, and putting out their campfires, but they also get to put the campfire to use . . .

Making s'mores!  You can see why it's a favorite!

They had lots of fun activities and crafts going on, too:

Earlier in their week, they all made the fun tie-dyed tee-shirts.  Each age group uses a different set of colors...

Makes them easier to spot that way (and determine if one is where she shouldn't be)!

That afternoon, they even had a fire truck come to the camp -- all the way from Keel Mountain Volunteer Fire Department!

Fire safety and prevention is a top tool for campers!

One of the coolest group projects the girls did was this fabulous handprint tree:

They did a great job with it! It gives us some ideas for a "hand print registry" for future visitors to the camp! 

It was a terrific day -- we love hearing the camp filled with the sounds of happy children (and adults) enjoying God's goodness!  And we hope they'll make it four years in a row by returning next year, too!

Owens Cross Roads Youth

Friday was cool and overcast and anything but your typical August day ... which made it the perfect day for a group of youth from Owens Cross Roads Baptist Church to enjoy a fishing expedition -- a final carefree day before the grind of school started!

Under supervision of their youth pastor (Brother Rusty) and their pastor (Brother Charles Miller -- a good friend of the camp and regular fisher of the ponds) they came in around 10 or so and headed straight to the ponds.  Both Rusty and Brother Charles fished two rather good-sized bass out of the pond.  Most of the youth managed to snag a bream or sunfish, as well.

They had a good time fishing and enjoying the day before packing it in and heading out to share a meal together.  We look forward to having them come back and visit again, soon!

Girl Scouts of Madison County - Day Camp

This was the second summer that we've had the privilege of being the host site for the day camp and awards ceremony for the Girl Scouts of Madison County.  They couldn't have asked for a nicer day -- especially in the middle of July!  The skies were mostly clear, the temperature was in the upper 70's, the humidity was down and there was a light breeze.  The perfect weather for a day outside!

And it's such a delight to have the camp filled with girls and women from age 5 to . . . well, let's just say significantly older than 5!

The day was filled with Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors, each group at different stations or, in the case of the older girls, helping with the younger groups.

This year one of the stations was "what to do if you're lost."  A K-9 search and rescue unit came out and helped instruct the girls on what they should and *shouldn't* do in the event that they get lost, and demonstrated how the dogs work with their handlers to find lost hikers. 

 

After all the demonstrating, the girls took off on a hike to 'get lost' so they could see the rescuers and dogs in action!

It was definitely a day of "making new friends and greeting the old friends"! 

At about three-thirty, parents started arriving for the awards ceremony and dinner.  All in all, we had about 130 girls and adults and they seemed to enjoy themselves immensely.  We hope they choose to come back again next year!

Celebrating 100 Years

The Girl Scout motto is "Be Prepared".  And the Girls Scout troops of North-Central Alabama certainly were when they showed up to celebrate their 100 year anniversary!  And they couldn't have asked for a lovelier day, either!

The girls were broken up into several groups . . . 

Daisies,

Brownies,

Juniors, and

Cadets.

There was also an ambassador Girl Scout on hand, too, helping the leaders with the different activities.  

They worked on badges, crafts, took hikes, and sang songs.  

One of my all-time favorite Girl Scout songs was being sung as we walked up and they sang it again just for us.

I've been singing this song for almost half the number of years the Girl Scouts have been organized!

Toward the end of the day, after the girls had done some "entertaining" for the gathering parents . . .

And after dinner had been cooked, served, and eaten . . . 

It was award time.  For Daisy to Cadet to Leader the day was a success ... smiles abounded!

Yes, the tee-shirt definitely fits:

We hope to host future Girl Scout counsel-wide events.  They did a great job of enjoying the Camp and cleaning up, too!  Thanks, ladies!

Day Camp in the Dog Days of Summer

The weather was oh-so-warm on Friday, but that didn't stop the children from Grace Summer Camp (of Grace Lutheran Church) from having a good time!  

When we caught up with them early in the afternoon, they had finished having lunch at the pavilion and were spread out in the upper field, enjoying a rowdy game of kick-ball!

While most of the kids played, some of the younger children hung out in the shade.  

Along with them was the bus and its driver, Richard.  

Richard and Todd got to talking and we found out that Richard drives a tour bus and has taken trips all over the country . . . one of which lasted forty days!

The game was close and the competition was fierce.  

An in-field error allowed this kicker to bring in all four runners and tag home himself, and that won the game.  

There was a fair mixture of cheers and good-natured ribbing as the kids came back towards the bus for a much needed water break.

It was a fun group of kids and they seemed to enjoy having a safe space to roam and play.  

We hope to see them back!